Rishi Sunak told to remove whip from Liz Truss for ‘propagating conspiracy theories’ on US visit
Labour has called on Rishi Sunak to consider removing the whip from Liz Truss after her appearance in the US sparked controversy.
Anneliese Dodds, the chair of the Labour Party, accused the former prime minister of “propagating conspiracy theories” and “associating with individuals who have actually praised the far right in our country”.
“That’s deeply disturbing, and we’ve not seen any action being taken,” Ms Dodds told Sky News.
Ms Dodds was referring to a series of controversial appearances made by Ms Truss in recent weeks, including a speech in Washington where she accused US president Joe Biden of being “asleep at the wheel” and stating that he needed to be “kicked out” of the White House.
Ms Truss had used a talk at the Conservative Political Action Conference (Cpac) in the US to claim her efforts to slash taxes were “sabotaged” by the “administrative state and the deep state”.
Politics latest: Lee Anderson’s comments that sparked Islamophobia row condemned by PM
The former prime minister – who only lasted 49 days in office after her mini-budget spooked the economic markets – has also been criticised for taking part in an interview with Donald Trump’s controversial former strategist Steve Bannon and remained silent as he praised former leader of the far-right English Defence League Tommy Robinson as a “hero”.
‘Liz should really know better’
Former Conservative chancellor Sir Sajid Javid was among those to criticise Ms Truss for failing to challenge Mr Bannon, writing on X: “I’d hope every MP would confront such a statement head on. Liz should really know better.”
Ms Truss also claimed in her speech that Conservatives are “now operating in what is a hostile environment” and that “left-wing elites” will be “aided and abetted by our enemies in China, Iran and Russia”.
The senior Tory complained about how her attempts to rule the UK were foiled by “the left” and that the West has been run by the left “for too long” – despite the fact the Conservatives have been in government since 2010.
Ms Truss claimed the left “did not accept” that they had lost at the election and “weaponised” institutions like the judicial system.
Farage partnership
In an interview with Mr Bannon after her speech, she also said she was willing to work with Nigel Farage, the former UKIP and Reform leader, to change the Conservative Party.
Labour’s criticism of Ms Truss comes at the same time that the Conservatives are engulfed in a row over Lee Anderson, the outspoken MP for Ashfield and former deputy party chair who has already had the whip removed after he claimed “Islamists” had control over London mayor Sadiq Khan and the capital city.
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Lee Anderson’s comments were ‘racist’
The MP, who was a Labour councillor before defecting to the Tories, told GB News last week: “I don’t actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they’ve got control of Khan and they’ve got control of London… He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”
The comments have sparked a backlash from across the political divide. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned what he called an “appalling racist and Islamophobic outburst”, while Conservative peer Baroness Warsi said “anti-Muslim racism” was now used “as an electoral campaign tool”.
The incidents involving Ms Truss and Mr Anderson prompted Labour to write to the prime minister demanding he take action against the pair.
Read more:
Sunak: Anderson’s comments against Khan ‘weren’t acceptable, they were wrong’
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Lee Anderson row blunts Rishi Sunak’s moral authority on racism
Referring to Ms Truss, shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth wrote: “For a senior politician to engage in spreading such blatant conspiracy theories is incredibly damaging to our democracy, our institutions and social cohesion.
“For a former prime minister to make such remarks, while on an international visit to a country with whom the UK shares a special relationship which upholds liberal values is an unforgivable lowering of the office of prime minister which lessens the United Kingdom’s standing in the world and needs to be acted upon.
“It’s time to show some leadership and take on the extremists in your party. Liz Truss and Lee Anderson must no longer sit as Conservative MPs. Their words cannot go unchecked or unchallenged.”
Police have appealed for information after a man was charged with murdering two women and raping a third.
Simon Levy has been charged with murdering 53-year-old Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo who died on the Aylesbury Estate, south-east London, on 17 March, the Metropolitan Police said.
In September, Levy, of Beaufoy Road, Tottenham, north London, was charged with murdering 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins who was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August.
He is also accused of grievous bodily harm with intent, non-fatal strangulation and two counts of rape against a third woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Haringey, north London, on 21 January, police said.
The 40-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with Ms Valencia-Trujillo’s murder.
Sheryl Wilkins was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August. Pic: Metropolitan Police
He is also due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday for a plea and trial preparation hearing for the murder of Ms Wilkins.
Detectives believe there may be individuals who have information relevant to this investigation – or who are yet to report incidents which have directly impacted them – and are asking for people to come forward.
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UK
Family of woman killed 56 years ago, in a case of mistaken identity, believe her remains are buried in a garden
A new “national day” to honour victims and survivors of terrorism will be added to the calendar from next year, it has been revealed.
The annual commemoration will fall on 21 August, and will be marked in a different place each year to recognise the widespread impact of terrorism around the country.
It comes after a 12-week public consultation showed 91% supported the plan for a national day, and 84% strongly supported the proposal.
Flowers left in St Ann’s Square, Manchester, to remember the Manchester Arena terror attack. Pic: PA
How the day will look, including a final name and symbol, will be worked out collaboratively between survivors and ministers, according to the Home Office.
But it will “honour and remember victims and survivors of terrorism”, encouraging survivors to access specialist support, spotlighting their stories, and educating the public.
A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed that it would not be a bank holiday.
Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was killed in the IRA Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, said victims of terrorism would no longer be “a footnote of history”.
Jo Berry, whose father was killed in the Brighton bombing in 1984, with convicted bomber Patrick Magee in 2004. File pic: PA
She said: “What we remember as a nation matters. It sends a signal about what we value.
“For too long, survivors of terror attacks, and those who have been killed in them, have been a footnote of history. Survivors have felt ignored and forgotten.
“That’s why Survivors Against Terror launched a campaign for a new national day of memorial three years ago.”
Read more:
Referrals to UK counter-terrorism programme reach new high
I was reporting in London during 7/7 – here’s what happened
Travis Frain, who survived the Westminster Bridge attack in 2017, also backed the campaign.
He said: “A national day would provide an opportunity to remember those we have lost, to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who have survived these heinous acts, and for us to look forward to the future to educate the next generation.”
The date was chosen to coincide with the UN International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Plans have also been announced for a new support hub to help victims in the aftermath of terror attacks.
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